james gunn

Sarah Mason and Jake Essoe review The Belko Experiment for The HMC Now Playing Reviews.

Writer/Producer James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) took a little break from making blockbuster super hero movies to write this wonderfully gruesome horror/thriller. When the office workers at Belko came into work they had no idea they would be the subjects of a twisted social experiment. The American company, in Bogota, Columbia, is put on lock down and a mysterious voice over the intercom announces that they must kill 30 of their fellow co-workers or 60 will die. Assuming this is a hoax, COO, Barry Norris (Tony Goldwyn) attempts to calm the nervous staff now assembled in the lobby. When it becomes clear that this is no joke, things start to unravel pitting co-worker against co-worker in an ultimate survival of the most moral test.

James Gunn's script, the phenomenal ensemble cast and Greg McLean's careful direction of Gunn's vision make The Belko Experiment one of the best indie horror/thriller/action films in years. It lives up to its tagline, "Office Space meets Battle Royale" with the level of gore and violence, which could have gone way over the top. But McLean's steady Direction keeps the film grounded. The ending, which could go many ways, will surprise you and leave you questioning your own humanity. Shoutout to the the practical effects team who did a fantastic job with such a small budget. Horror fans will be utterly charmed by this film and moviegoers in general will enjoy the psychological thrills and relentless action.